the president was down and mitt romney was up. >> you know, four years ago we were going through a major crisis, and yet my faith and confidence in the american future is undiminished. >> it's an important election and i'm concerned about america. i'm concerned about the direction america has been taking over the last four years. what kind of america do you want to have for yourself and your children? chris: and the impact wednesday night can be seen at least four ways. first the media consensus, from the left, center and right. the media called the president's performance a failure and say mitt romney may get a second look now. second, the g.o.p. got a lift. the entire party from fundraising got a pick me up. third, first impressions. voters just tuning into this contest got a view of mitt romney better than anything he's done before. and fourth, big mo. the momentum had been going the president's way and appeared to be halted wednesday night. sam, huge impact of that debate wednesday night. >> big. think john kennedy of 1960, think ronald reagan in 1980. it's possibly that big because